Karim Boumjimar has been working with glaze experiments for his upcoming solo exhibition at O—Overgaden. His research revolves around the transformative possibilities of ceramics as a canvas, focusing on glaze as both a material and a conceptual framework.
Dec. 2024
Material Experimentation
Glaze, often seen as a surface treatment, has become central to my exploration of materiality and process, serving as a bridge between raw matter and finished form. The project stems from a deep curiosity about the alchemy of natural materials. Glaze is not just an aesthetic finish but a complex synthesis of raw components—earth, minerals, and heat—fused together in unpredictable ways. My approach has been to challenge the conventional use of glaze, experimenting with its materiality and pushing it beyond traditional boundaries from empty vessels to flat surfaces.
By testing various combinations of natural pigments, recycled elements, and unique firing techniques on an uneven surface, I aim to uncover new tactile and visual expressions that engage the senses and challenge expectations. The results of these experiments will form the foundation of the exhibition at O—Overgaden.
Through the interaction of sculptural forms and their surfaces, I aim to create a space that reflects the
unpredictability of material transformation and the poetic potential of matter. Each piece, from its glazes to its underlying structure, will embody the balance between control and surrender, between construction and dissolution—a dynamic that resonates deeply with natural and urban landscapes that inspire my practice.
Inclusive Body of Work
This journey into material experimentation is as much about process as it is about outcome. It’s a meditation on the inherent potential of matter to transform, to surprise, and to inspire—a narrative that I hope to share through this body of work.
My work embraces a symbiotic, cross-species approach that rejects human-centric views. Promoting hybridisation, co-evolution, and solidarity between bodies and ecosystems is a way to make this achievable.
Drawing on the vitality of nature, it encourages us to see ourselves as interconnected beings rather than solely humans. I focus on understanding and relating to diverse sexual, racial, and natural identities, challenging prevailing social hierarchies and norms. Creating spaces where individuals can thrive and be celebrated is my way of constructing a parallel adaptation, thereby reshaping societal structures in alignment with the ideologically more equitable and inclusive world.
The work carries inherent political undertones, shedding light on the marginalization and oppression experienced by queer individuals. Through depictions of chaos, I aim to represent a society contaminated by oppressive heteronormative structures, evolving into a restrictive ecosystem that oppresses all of us.
